Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony Information

The Commencement Ceremony will be held at ASU Wells Fargo Arena on the campus

of Arizona State University on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 7:30 pm.

Baccalaureate and Commencement are both special occasions that are intended to celebrate the achievements

of our Desert Ridge High School seniors. Both ceremonies are planned as formal events with specific

expectations for student dress and behavior. Not only are these events important to our graduates, but also to

their families. We are confident that students and parents alike will find both of these celebrations to be first-

rate events.

Baccalaureate:

Baccalaureate is an inspirational ceremony that has proven to be very meaningful to our graduates. Although

the ceremony is optional, students are encouraged to attend and experience this uplifting celebration. It will

be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at 3:00 pm in the Desert Ridge High School Auditorium. Students who

plan to participate need to report to the cafeteria by 2:30pm. Students should wear their cap and gown.

Graduation Rehearsal:

Rehearsal for graduation will be held in the DRHS Auditorium on Wednesday April 27, 2016, from 9:15

am to 10:30 am. REHEARSAL IS MANDADORY! If you are not at rehearsal, you may not

participate in the ceremony on May 18th. All AM EVIT students will receive a Home School Activity pass

at the end of the rehearsal, to excuse their absence. Students who have a conflict and cannot attend graduation

rehearsal, must get prior approval from Mrs. Henry, Asst. Principal, or Mrs. Weis, her Secretary.

Seating/line assignments will be posted on the day of rehearsal, in the Library, Cafeteria, Administration

Office, and on the Career Center windows. Check the list to find your row number, North or South side, and

your line leaders’ name. Initial next to you name to verify spelling. Please write any corrections on the list.

We recommend that you take a picture of your assignment with your phone, for a quick reference later.

Any student whose name does not appear on the list needs to see Mrs. Weis immediately.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held at ASU Wells Fargo Arena on the campus of Arizona State

University on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 7:30 pm. Students must report to the WEST entrance of Wells

Fargo Arena by 6:30 pm. See “Arrival, Line Up, and Processional” section of this handout for more detailed

information.

ASU Wells Fargo Arena, 600 E Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85281 There is currently no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony.

No tickets are needed; all seating is first come, first served.

Handicapped parking is available.

ASU parking assistants will be available in Lot 59 to assist visitors.

Not Walking??? If you choose not to participate in the graduation ceremony, please notify Mrs. Weis in the

Administration Office by April 20, 2016. Diplomas will be available for pick-up in the DRHS front office

starting on May 23, 2016 for those who are not walking with the class.

Senior Reminders!!!

GRADES….need we say more? Also, be prepared for your final exams…most exams count as 20%

of your grade. Don’t “cut it too close.” Review the final exam schedule so you can rearrange your

job/work commitments if necessary.

GPS Global Academy (Distance Learning) classes: The deadline for seniors to

submit grades from Distance Learning/online classes is 5/6/16; please contact your counselor if you have

not completed any Distance Learning classes.

Have you ordered your cap and gown?

If not…..Call Balfour (480) 990-0141 or www.azbalfour.com

All Caps and gowns will be delivered on April 28th during both

lunches in the Library

Fines…. make sure that any fines you may have at the library, bookstore, or cafeteria are paid!

Otherwise, your diploma will be held.

If you hope to play collegiate athletics, make sure you have met with Mr. Wattawa for NCAA

information.

Are you registered for your classes for next fall? Don’t delay…get enrolled before the

class sections reach their maximum.

Transcript Release Form…a final transcript indicating your graduation MUST BE

SENT to the ONE college/university you will be attending next year. This is the

final step in the application process. The final transcript release form must be

submitted to Ms. Mousseau, the Registrar, before the end of the year.

If you haven’t made a decision about where you’re going next year, “there’s no time

like the present!” Spend some time between now and the end of May in the College and Career

Center exploring your ideas. Make some decisions now.

File the FAFSA, A.S.A.P. The initial deadline has passed but you never know what scholarships, loans,

or work-study you might still qualify for. Website to go to: www.FAFSA.ed.gov

If you haven’t taken the ASSET Test, contact the community college of your choice, speak with an advisor and register for classes at any of the community colleges.

Dressing for the Day (Yes – Graduation) Boys – dress slacks and a collared shirt (tie not required, but recommended), dress shoes and socks.

Shorts, sneakers, flip-flops, etc. will not be allowed

Girls – dress, or skirt/dress slacks with blouse, dress shoes.

Shorts, sneakers, flip-flops, etc. will not be allowed

Mortarboards (Caps) may NOT be altered in any way. Only approved DRHS tassels (No Bling)

will be allowed on mortarboards (no other pins, insignia, markings, etc.)

All students must have a black gown, a black mortarboard, and a tassel. Gowns may NOT be

altered in any way. Only approved DRHS honor cords and stoles may be worn during the ceremony.

Students will receive a medallion when they arrive at ASU. Students who are graduating with

honors (have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or better) will be given a gold tassel, after they arrive at

ASU, to wear during the ceremony to acknowledge this achievement.

It is recommended that students drink plenty of water prior to arriving at Wells Fargo Arena to

prevent dehydration.

Students will not be allowed to carry any items into ASU Wells Fargo Arena, and there is no place

to store items, so leave purses, cameras, cell phones, keys and other personal items with your

parents / family / friends. Security at Wells Fargo will be conducting “searches” of all students and adults entering the facility

as they would for a regular ASU sponsored event.

Line leaders and school staff reserve the right to check students for contraband (items that are not

allowed on the floor) prior to leaving the staging area. There are no secure places to keep items, so

confiscated items may or may not be available for return. Just don’t bring anything with you and

you won’t have to worry about it.

Any student who appears to be under the influence of a controlled substance will not be allowed

to participate in the ceremony.

Arrival, Line Up, Processional See the seating/line assignment list posted on campus on April 27th for the row number, side, and

the name of your line leader to which you must report. Take a picture of your row assignment!!

Students will enter through the WEST entrance of ASU Wells Fargo Arena. Row numbers and sides

(North or South) will be posted, along with the Line Leader’s name.

The processional starts promptly at 7:25 pm … if you are not in line, we will not wait.

Students will be led from the staging area, out the West doors, down the ramp to the West Tunnel,

and down onto the arena floor.

Recessional and Meeting your Family We will have a formal recession out of the arena.

Students will exit the arena starting with the back row and working towards the front of the arena.

Students will exit through the WEST tunnel, walk up the ramp, and proceed all the way out to the

SOUTH side of Wells Fargo Arena to meet their families…this is a much larger area.

Family and friends will NOT be allowed on the floor of the Arena at any time.

Wells Fargo Special Services Lost and Found is located in room 116

First Aid Station will be located in section #15

Handicapped seating is available on the North side of the arena. First come, first served

Concessions are available around the concourse

Graduation Picture

GradImages is our official photographer for graduation. Each graduate will be photographed as s/he

receives her/his diploma. Proofs of those pictures will be available for viewing 48 hours after the ceremony

at www.gradimages.com. You may receive a discount on your future purchase if you go to the website and

pre-register your student’s information. Click on the Pre-Event Registration tab.

Video & DVDs & Live Stream Great Video Productions will be taking video of the graduation ceremony. They will be handing out

information and order forms as you enter ASU Wells Fargo Arena.

Anyone may watch our ceremony live at: www.ustream.tv/asutv.

Message from ASU Wells Fargo High School Graduation represents the culmination of a student’s academic achievement. It is a time of

celebration and reflection for students, family, friends, faculty and staff. It brings together a diverse

community to share the joy of accomplished goals.

There is currently no limit to the number of guests

you may bring to the ceremony.

No tickets are needed; all seating is first come, first serve.

Handicapped parking is available. ASU parking assistants

will be available in Lot 59 to assist visitors.

The doors to the Wells Fargo Arena open one hour prior to the graduation ceremony (6:30 PM for

Desert Ridge High School). Graduates enter through the EAST Tunnel doors. Family and friends

enter through any of the four main entry points: North, South, East, or West. The ceremony will start

promptly at 7:30 pm. No tickets are required. The event is open to the public.

Graduation is a special event for all involved. Please show respect for everyone who has come to share

in the experience. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from

the event.

Parent / Guest Guidelines Security at Wells Fargo will be conducting “searches” of all students and adults entering the facility

as they would for a regular ASU sponsored event. See “Message from Wells Fargo” for items that

will and won’t be allowed in the arena.

Students will enter through the WEST entrance of Wells Fargo Arena. Guests will not be allowed to

use this entrance. Guests may use any of the three other entry points: NORTH, SOUTH, or EAST.

Lost and Found is in room 116 near the West entrance and is manned by ASU staff at all times

during the event.

Parents, family and friends will NOT be allowed on the floor at any time before, during or after

the ceremony. Students will exit through the WEST tunnel, and are encouraged to meet with their

family on the SOUTH side of Wells Fargo (this is a much larger area and does not lead to a parking

lot).

Directions & Map to ASU Wells Fargo Arena

ASU Wells Fargo Arena

600 E. Veterans Way

Tempe, AZ 85281

Handicapped parking is available. ASU parking assistants will be available in Lot 59 to assist visitors.

Option 1: US 60 (Superstition Freeway) west to Loop 101 Northbound

Take the Loop 101 Northbound to the Rio Salado Parkway exit

Turn left on Rio Salado and proceed through Scottsdale Rd to Packard Drive

Turn left on Packard Drive

Lot #59 will be on your right. This lot has been reserved for DRHS graduation.

Option 2:

US 60 (Superstition Freeway) west

Exit on Rural Road and turn right

Head north on Rural Road through University Drive

Turn left on 6th Street and proceed to Packard Drive

Turn right on Packard Drive

Lot #59 will be on your left. This lot has been reserved for DRHS graduation.

Option 3:

Traffic is very congested around the arena; you may want to consider using the Valley Metro Light

Rail System. There are a variety of different stations in Mesa where you board the light rail. The

farthest East station is the Mesa Drive/Main Street Light Rail Station. There is a stop conveniently

located by Wells Fargo Arena, called: Veterans Way/College Light Rail Station.

Go to www.valleymetro.org to see if the light rail may be an option for you.

ASU Wells Fargo Arena

600 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85281

ASU Graduation Parking Information

The ASU Public Events Department would like to congratulate all graduates and their families.

Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Lot 59 and the Stadium Parking Structure PS5, will be the easiest areas to find parking.

2. The parking areas outlined in black will be at No Charge.

3. Arrive between 6:00p – 6:30p in order to have ample time to find parking and get to the event

without feeling rushed.

4. Remember what area, level, and row you parked in.

5. Please use cross walks to cross any streets.

Please remember to always follow the directions of the signs and traffic control officers,

as the parking plans could change at a the last moment.

The following items WILL be allowed in ASU Wells Fargo Arena: Flowers

Small purses (12x12x12 or smaller)

Clear zip-lock bags with food/snacks

Sealed water bottles (44oz. Maximum)

Small hand-held still cameras

Video Cameras

Binoculars with case

Fanny packs (subject to search)

Diaper bag (only if accompanied by a baby/infant)

Cell phones (please set to vibrate/manner mode)

Pagers (please set to vibrate/manner mode)

Small personal-size umbrellas

Small foldable strollers (must fit under the seat)

The following items WILL NOT be allowed in ASU Wells Fargo Arena: Air horns

Balloons (please leave them in the car or don’t bring them)

Coolers

Grocery/Brown bags

Tote/Duffle bags and Backpacks

Purses larger than 12x12x12

Poles

Large signs

Thermos bottles

Glass bottles

Cans

Laser devices

Tripods

Golf Umbrellas

Guns, Knives, or weapons of any kind

Box cutters and Metal objects